Enrolled Agents must pass a difficult two-day examination given annually by the IRS. Less than 1/3 of test-takers pass this test and become Enrolled Agents. They are required to obtain continuing education credits to maintain their status. Enrolled Agents are the only professionals who specialize in taxation.

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We hope that the following complimentary Income Tax Preparation Tools N' Tips will make your Pre-Season Tax Data Gathering and Collating activities run a little more smoothly and efficiently. Use them to assist you in bringing the MAXIMUM of Tax Reducing Data to the actual Income Tax Preparation Session.

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What is an Enrolled Agent (EA) ?

What does the term "Enrolled Agent" mean?

How can an EA help me?

What are the differences between EAs and other tax professionals?

How does someone become an EA?

1. An individual must pass a difficult two-day examination administered by the IRS which covers taxation of individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts, procedures and ethics. Next, the successful candidates are subjected to a rigorous background check conducted by the Internal Revenue Service;

OR

2. An individual may become an EA based on employment at the Internal Revenue Service for a minimum of five years in a job where he/she regularly applied and interpreted the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations.

Are EAs required to take continuing professional education (CPE)?

Are EAs bound by any ethical standards?

Why should I choose an EA who is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)?

This tax tip discusses a possible solution for the dilemma described above -- the Enrolled Agent. Enrolled Agents are tax professionals licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. After describing the background and purpose of this profession, this tip distinguishes Enrolled Agents from other tax professionals. You also will learn what you can do if you haven't filed taxes in a while. This process begins with contacting an Enrolled Agent in your area.

History and responsibilities:

Today, Enrolled Agents assist taxpayers in a number of ways:

• They prepare tax returns
• They answer questions regarding national, state and local tax laws
• They represent taxpayers in disputes with the IRS Enrolled Agents prepare millions of tax returns annually.
• They also provide tax assistance for estates, trusts, partnerships, corporations and other entities that are required to report taxes.

Comparisons to other tax professionals:

• What does it mean to say an individual is an "Enrolled Agent"?
• "Enrolled" refers to the fact that the federal government licenses these professionals.
• They are "Agents" in that they are authorized to appear in place of a taxpayer before the IRS.

Enrolled Agents differ from other tax professionals in a number of ways:

• They are required to demonstrate their competence in tax matters before they represent a taxpayer before the IRS.
• They all specialize in taxation
• They receive their authority from the federal government instead of the state government.
• Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants don't always specialize in taxes.
• They also have state licenses, which limits where they can practice in the U.S.

Training and continuing education:

• Pass a rigorous, two-day exam administered by the IRS before undergoing a detailed background check;
• or
• Work at the IRS for at least five years, regularly interpreting IRS codes and regulations.
• Enrolled Agents must also complete 72 hours of continuing professional education every three years to maintain their status.

Haven't filed in a while?

• Request part of your paycheck
• Place a lien on your property
• Freeze or seize your bank accounts
• Prosecute you

Voluntarily filing your missing tax returns works in your favor. Refunds are due to three out of four returns, so there is a possibility you are entitled to a refund. However, you must request it within two years of the time it is due or the IRS won't repay you.

Already thinking coming forward is a waste of time because you know you owe the IRS taxes? Don't panic: you can still do the right thing. If you owe less than $10,000 and will be able to pay the full amount within three years, you can set up a monthly installment plan with the IRS.

What if you owe the IRS more money than you will ever be able to pay? Your Enrolled Agent may be able to work out a compromise with the IRS so that the amount is adjusted to one you will be able to pay.

What happens if the IRS accepts your Offer-In-Compromise (OIC)? The IRS considers your total tax liability, including interest and penalties, paid in full. However, an OIC is a mathematical formula, NOT an amnesty program. The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) strongly recommends professional assistance when compromising a tax liability.

Locating an Enrolled Agent:

• Search their Web site and select "Find a Tax Advisor."
• You will search by state and then by zip code.
• Call the NAEA 24-hour referral service toll-free at 1-800-424-4339.
• Write your request to the NAEA at: "National Association of Enrolled Agents", 200 Orchard Ridge Drive, Suite 302, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878
• Many Enrolled Agents are also listed in the yellow pages. Look under headings such as "Tax Preparation" and "Enrolled Agent."

Conclusion

Let EAgle On-Line Help Prepare You NOW to Pass the IRS Special Enrollment Examination.

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Instead of being forced to twist and adjust YOUR schedule to some Classroom timetable, YOU can set YOUR OWN "Pace and Place", and study WHERE and WHEN it is convenient for YOU.

Here is how the EAgle-VIP Enrolled Agent Training Program works:

• YOU, the student, will be provided with a structured curriculum , as well as one-on-one assistance, should you need it. This course provides the effectiveness of the classroom setting, but with the convenience of a home or office setting. Not only that, but you will receive One-On-One Attention, progressing at YOUR pace and spending time on and exploring those issues that are of special importance to YOU !!

• You will have interaction with your instructor by phone, FAX, or eMail. We encourage the use of eMail, as we will be able to observe your computations, and better assist you with the correct approach to the problem.

• You will mail your completed section quizzes in to your instructor. He will grade, comment, and mail them back, while maintaining your student progress reports, and issuing your certificate of completion if CPE credit is required.

Our Approach and Materials will place those coveted words, "Enrolled Agent" after your name in minimum time. Each student will receive a workbook containing a Master Table of Contents (a brief description of the sections therein). Each section is then further defined in chapters with very structured outlines and a quiz at the end of each chapter. In-depth indexes are located at the back of each book, and coil binding enables the books to be handled easily.

Also provided is our EAgles NEST. This product contains three years of prior exams, and is unique because each book (one for the Q's and one for the A's) contains an index, allowing you to quickly find all Q&A's relating to a particular subject. In other words, brush up on just the information that YOU feel a need for.

• It is a proven fact that the more senses we use in the study process, the better we understand and retain information. For those of you who would like to bring ALL of your senses into play for study, we also have available two optional products:

• The first is an IBM-PC format software product that contains three years of prior exams, complete with topics, keywords, explanations, and cites.

• It contains multiple study options (by the Year, Part, Topic, Sub-Topic, or Random) assisting you to better understand WHY a particular question is correct or incorrect.

• Our software format also continually scores you -- while our Hard Copy format allows you to study anywhere, anytime.

• Our second is four 60-minute audios (one for each part) reviewed, updated, and reproduced each year with the newest in tax law changes.

• Our audios take a different look at taxation - combining sounds, nuances, and special memory enhancement techniques, allowing you to recall the applicable tax law within seconds.

• While our audio packages give you the benefit of expounding, and our software allows you to test and grade yourself, our workbooks - beautifully bound and boxed for easy desktop access - contain tax theory along with chapter quizzes, detailed explanations, and references.

Our workbooks are derived from IRS publications and code. We reorganize the material, and add examples to make even complex issues easily understandable.

These four workbooks provide a year-around guide, giving you the ultimate in study materials, structured outlines for each section, in-depth indexes for quick reference, and "new changes" accompany each book.

We strive to make learning FUN !! Our materials are filled with colorful examples and anecdotes you'll remember long after the exam is over. Why wait a moment longer for what you have desired for all of these years. It is finally within your grasp. Reach out and take control TODAY. With all of these powerful tools at your command, it is easy to see why we experience a passing rate of 80% plus.